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Welcome to

The Little Big Things

Hello, I’m Felecia Jordan!


 Throughout my professional career, I’ve come to understand that it’s often the small, everyday moments and choices that leave the biggest impact.


We focus on degrees, promotions, and job titles. Yet, we rarely discuss the realities of the workplace—the challenges no one prepares us for: managing difficult conversations, navigating toxic environments, setting boundaries, learning how to advocate for yourself, or developing a career path that truly aligns with who we are.


As a Learning & Development professional specializing in employee experience and leadership growth—and as someone who has faced these challenges firsthand—I created The Little Big Things to be more than just a space for discussion.


It’s a community, an ally, and a resource for those navigating these unspoken aspects of professional growth.


Welcome to a space where the little things make all the difference.



The Little Big Things

Newsletter

Click below to read

By Felecia Jordan November 11, 2024
Annual reviews are not always the highlight of everyone’s day but it is one of the most influential ways to highlight your contributions and discuss your career growth. Here’s how you can navigate these conversations effectively. Understanding What Matters to Your Company Companies typically focus on three high-level areas: Financial Impact : Highlight how your actions aligned with the company's goals and have directly contributed to increasing revenue or reducing costs. This could include successful projects, efficiency improvements, or strategic decisions that positively affected the company’s bottom line. Innovation and Future Growth : Discuss your role in driving innovation and improvements. This could involve introducing new technologies, improving processes and workflows, leading transformative projects, or developing strategies. Collaboration, Communication, and Adaptability : Not all roles or projects will always show quantifiable results, but these skills significantly influence the company and team’s success. Discuss the teams you work with (clients, departments, vendors) and any increase in these interactions. Highlight how you adapted to changes like team expansions/reductions, new clients/customers, more direct reports, or shifts in work processes. Also, mention the increase in decision-making responsibilities, providing examples of delegating or making decisions to benefit projects, your team, or the company. Structure Your Conversation When it comes to discussing your performance and career progression, it’s important to be clear and structured. Start by highlighting how your role has grown: Last Year : Describe your role and responsibilities. This Year : Explain how your role has evolved and the new responsibilities you’ve taken on. Accomplishments : Share specific achievements and their impact on the company. Outcomes of Performance Reviews Compensation If your role has evolved substantially, express your interest in discussing an appropriate role change & salary. Understand that the first conversation might not be the last—it may take a few months, depending on the company’s size and hierarchy. Typically, if your role has expanded beyond the original job description, a role change and corresponding salary adjustment should be discussed. Keep in mind that each company has different policies regarding role changes. Development Opportunities Performance reviews are an excellent time to discuss career development opportunities you are interested in. This could include certifications, trainings, continuing education, or seminars that your company might cover or reimburse. Handling Objections If you’re told you’re not ready for a raise, respond with specified questions and take initiative. Ask for specific examples of what you need to improve, proactively create a development plan with your leader, and set a timeline to revisit the conversation. Knowing When to Look Externally If your role has expanded and you have been consistently successful, yet there is still no recognition, pay increase, or role change after multiple attempts at conversation, it may be time to consider opportunities outside your current company. These conversations are a great opportunity to discuss the career opportunities and experiences you seek, and how your leader can support you in achieving them. This is your time to advocate for yourself—be open to feedback, but also be prepared and proactive. Until Next Time, Felecia Jordan Founder of The Little Big Things
By Felecia Jordan August 26, 2024
Did you know individuals who had Mentors are promoted 5X more often than those without mentors and are more likely to experience career growth and advancement? Additionally, 90% of workers with a mentor report feeling happier in their careers, and 87% of mentees feel empowered by their mentoring relationships. So How Do You Find a Mentor? Here are some strategies to help you connect with the right mentor: Define Your Goals: Determine what you want to gain from mentorship. Are you looking to develop leadership skills, build confidence, or seek a new position? Clarifying your goals will help you find a mentor who aligns with your needs. Look Internally: Consider leaders within your company, even in different departments, who you admire and want to learn from. A previous manager with whom you had a great working relationship could also be a potential mentor. Depending on the organization you work for they may have mentor programs. Reach out to your manager or HR business partner to inquire. Expand Externally: Mentors don’t have to be within your company. They could be individuals from other organizations you’ve met or know of. Use Apps and Networks: If there is no luck with your current connections, there are numerous apps and professional networks designed to connect you with potential mentors. Initiating a Mentor/Mentee Relationship Identify the Right Mentor: Choose someone whose career path, skills, and values align with your goals. This could be a colleague, supervisor, professor, or industry leader. Request a Meeting: Reach out to them via email or a professional networking platform to request a meeting. Be clear about why you want to meet and what you hope to discuss. Subject: Request for Mentorship Dear [Mentor’s Name], I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am currently [Your Position/Role] at [Your Company/Institution]. I have long admired your work in [specific field or industry], particularly [mention a specific project or quality you admire]. I am reaching out to you because I am seeking a mentor who can guide me as I work towards [specific career goals]. Your experience and insights would be incredibly valuable to me, and I believe that your guidance could help me navigate the challenges and opportunities in this field. I would be grateful if we could meet to discuss this possibility further. I am flexible with my schedule and can adjust to a time that is convenient for you. I am committed to making the most of this mentorship and am eager to learn and grow under your guidance. Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the possibility of working with you. Best regards, [Your Name] Maintaining the Relationship Show your mentor that you take the relationship seriously by being proactive in scheduling regular meetings or calls that fit their schedule. Always come prepared with an agenda, updates, and any assignments they recommend. This demonstrates respect for their time and mentorship. Explain Your Goals: During the meeting, clearly outline your career goals and why you believe they are the right person to help you achieve them. Mention specific qualities or experiences they have that you admire. Be Specific About Your Needs: Describe what kind of guidance you are looking for. Whether it’s career advice, skill development, or networking opportunities, being specific helps them understand how they can assist you. Express Your Commitment: Show that you are serious about the mentorship by expressing your willingness to work hard and be proactive. Mention how often you would like to meet and for how long that is suitable for their schedule. Flexibility and Openness It’s okay to have different mentors for different seasons of your career. The duration of mentorship should be mutually beneficial. Remember, mentors don’t always have to be leaders. Younger mentors can also provide valuable insights and help you grow. I personally had a younger mentor myself when I started The Little Big Things. You can learn anything from anyone if you are open to it. Mentorship is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. By taking the initiative to find and maintain a mentoring relationship, you can create new opportunities for yourself, overcome challenges with guidance, and have someone that can help bring you balance and new perspective. Until Next Time, Felecia Jordan Founder of The Little Big Things
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By Felecia Jordan November 11, 2024
Annual reviews are not always the highlight of everyone’s day but it is one of the most influential ways to highlight your contributions and discuss your career growth. Here’s how you can navigate these conversations effectively. Understanding What Matters to Your Company Companies typically focus on three high-level areas: Financial Impact : Highlight how your actions aligned with the company's goals and have directly contributed to increasing revenue or reducing costs. This could include successful projects, efficiency improvements, or strategic decisions that positively affected the company’s bottom line. Innovation and Future Growth : Discuss your role in driving innovation and improvements. This could involve introducing new technologies, improving processes and workflows, leading transformative projects, or developing strategies. Collaboration, Communication, and Adaptability : Not all roles or projects will always show quantifiable results, but these skills significantly influence the company and team’s success. Discuss the teams you work with (clients, departments, vendors) and any increase in these interactions. Highlight how you adapted to changes like team expansions/reductions, new clients/customers, more direct reports, or shifts in work processes. Also, mention the increase in decision-making responsibilities, providing examples of delegating or making decisions to benefit projects, your team, or the company. Structure Your Conversation When it comes to discussing your performance and career progression, it’s important to be clear and structured. Start by highlighting how your role has grown: Last Year : Describe your role and responsibilities. This Year : Explain how your role has evolved and the new responsibilities you’ve taken on. Accomplishments : Share specific achievements and their impact on the company. Outcomes of Performance Reviews Compensation If your role has evolved substantially, express your interest in discussing an appropriate role change & salary. Understand that the first conversation might not be the last—it may take a few months, depending on the company’s size and hierarchy. Typically, if your role has expanded beyond the original job description, a role change and corresponding salary adjustment should be discussed. Keep in mind that each company has different policies regarding role changes. Development Opportunities Performance reviews are an excellent time to discuss career development opportunities you are interested in. This could include certifications, trainings, continuing education, or seminars that your company might cover or reimburse. Handling Objections If you’re told you’re not ready for a raise, respond with specified questions and take initiative. Ask for specific examples of what you need to improve, proactively create a development plan with your leader, and set a timeline to revisit the conversation. Knowing When to Look Externally If your role has expanded and you have been consistently successful, yet there is still no recognition, pay increase, or role change after multiple attempts at conversation, it may be time to consider opportunities outside your current company. These conversations are a great opportunity to discuss the career opportunities and experiences you seek, and how your leader can support you in achieving them. This is your time to advocate for yourself—be open to feedback, but also be prepared and proactive. Until Next Time, Felecia Jordan Founder of The Little Big Things
Show More
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“I found Felecia during a time of transition in my career. She helped me find my North Star; together we outlined my strengths, defined what I want, and plotted a path to get there. The skills that I’ve learned under her guidance have pushed me out of my comfort zone but have immediately paid off, particularly through networking and forming connections with others. She’s been my anchor through it all: the support system I needed to go after what I want, both personally and professionally. If you’re going to follow your North Star, then you want her as your anchor.”

Jeni Gutzeit, CMCP 

Real Estate Manager

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